Gary Lineker and Piers Morgan locked in angry Twitter slanging match over Lionel Messi

Gary Lineker and Piers Morgan did not hold back on Twitter as the duo went head-to-head over Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The debate was sparked when Lineker took objection to comments made by Sir Alex Ferguson suggesting that Messi could only perform at his best at Barcelona, while Ronaldo would score goals for anyone he played for. The Scot even cited clubs like Millwall, QPR and Doncaster Rovers as an example.

Lineker wrote: "This is nonsensical. I know we don’t tend to look beyond these shores very much, and I’m sure Sir Alex is being supportive of one of his own, but even as recently as this summer, Messi almost single-handedly won the Copa America for Argentina. They’re both greats."

It wasn't long before Morgan replied, issuing his support of Ronaldo while suggesting Messi has "lost his magic" and referring to Lineker by a derogatory nickname in the process as he defended the 37-year-old five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"It’s perfectly sensical, Jugs. Messi’s clearly lost his magic since leaving Barca. Ronaldo’s kept it at many clubs/countries including back at United now. That’s why he’s the GOAT [greatest of all time]," Morgan claimed. Lineker responded: "He’s the GOAT now? So you’re judging 2 of the greatest players of all-time on how they perform in their mid thirties when they’re both past their best. I don’t care who you or anyone else thinks is better, it’s not important, but a lack of respect for either is totally unwarranted."

Morgan replied by claiming Ferguson's initial comments were justified by Messi's struggling form at Paris Saint-Germain, who were recently dumped out of the Champions League by Real Madrid. The humiliating nature of that defeat then inspired the PSG home faithful to turn